Metrolife: All that glitters...

Come Akshaya Tritiya and jewellery shops in the city always see higher sales. With new collections and offers, they often try to bring more customers into their fold.

Vinod C Hayagriv, managing director, C Krishniah Chetty Group of Jewellers, says that there is a 5 percent hike in customers this season, compared to last season. “This last year was a good financial one despite new regulations and scams. We don’t give discounts and have offered as we believe that our prices are competitive,” he adds.

Kishan Surana, managing partner, Sri Krishna Diamonds & Jewellery vouches that the brand doesn’t believe in offers or discounts as their collections and products are prices effectively. “We don’t believe in luring customers just with discounts. Our sales have boosted up by three times. Many of our customers have pre-booked products which they will pick up today. Our sales go up ten times on Akshaya Tritiya day,” says Kishan. He adds that there is a 20 percent rise on pre-bookings as it is a hassle-free process too.

There are also jewellers who feel that sales are not necessarily as high as it does during the season. Sanjay Bafna, manager of Navrathan Jewellers, M G Road showroom, says, “We haven’t really seen a big boost in sales. After GST, people are not into buying gold as they used to earlier. In fact, there seems to be a 25 percent drop in sales for Akshaya Tritiya compared to in the past.”

When buying gold...

Tips to shopping for gold:

BIS Hallmark: Ensure that your gold ornament has the BIS hallmark. This helps confirm that your ornament has the metal content which conforms to the national and international standards of purity.

Purity: Check for purity of the metal. It is usually mentioned besides the BIS mark.

Jeweller’s mark: Every jeweller certified by the BIS has a logo of his own and it is often embossed on their ornaments. This might be mentioned in small and might need a magnifying glass to be seen. This is an additional guarantee.

Check prices: Always the exact amount of gold you are buying. Since the customer often has to pay for wastage and making charges too, which varies according to the ornament. Do the calculation yourself too.

Buy-back terms: Check the possibilities and options for exchanging your gold jewellery in the future for a contemporary design.

Insist on a bill: This helps provide you with assurance for the future.

What’s new in town?

Check out new collections and grab the best deals in town, this Akshaya Tritiya.

*Sri Krishna Diamonds & Jewellery has come out with a new collection called ‘Ancient Splendour’, which goes well with traditional wedding attire. It is a fusion of traditional ‘nakash’ jewellery with diamonds and gemstones.

*If you are shopping at Navrathan Jewellers, get 1 gm of silver free on the purchase of 1 gm gold, and 1 gm of gold free when buying 1 carat diamond. Conditions apply.

*C Krishniah Chetty has created a small limited edition ‘Kubera Nidhi Yantras’ or money box which has designed and created in sterling silver along with a 22kt gold finial or crown of Lord Kubera on top. The Kubera Nidhi Yantra is taken from the scriptures as the blessing or symbol or depicting the God of wealth and happiness. This product is on sale for Rs 30,000.

*At all Reliance Jewels stores, there are up to 40 percent (conditions apply) off on making of gold jewellery, flat 50 percent off on making of coins (gold - 10gm and above; silver – 50gm and above), upto 75 percent off on making of diamond jewellery and 3 percent on selling price of Reliance Jewels Solitaires.

*BlingVine, an online fashion jewellery brand has introduced a new range of affordable 18 K (carat) gold plated jewellery for the day.